Chief Minister calls for tax reform and special migration zones for Northern Australia to stimulate population growth and increase skills base.
Growing Northern Australia will ease growth pressures on the southern states.
Australian dream 'still alive in Territory' for families wanting to own their own home.
Tax reform and special migration zones need to be rolled out for Northern Australia to stimulate population growth and increase skills while easing growth pressures on the southern states, according to Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.
She told the NT News Future Northern Territory 2026 summit that the moves would help ease the housing, infrastructure and service crises in the major capitals, while building capacity in Northern Australia.
The Chief Minister said that the migration settings that were applied in the southern states did not work for the Territory and Northern Australia where population and skills growth were urgently needed.
The development in the Territory of major projects including Beetaloo gas, the Arafura Nolans rare earth mines project and the Northern Marine Complex required more skilled labour for the Territory.
"While the national conversation is raging about reducing migration, because the big southern cities are straining under housing and infrastructure pressure, the Territory is different to the rest of the country," the Chief Minister said.
"I have often said that the Territory has the answer to everything this country needs to be successful, including energy, defence, minerals, and agriculture.
"National population and workforce challenges are no different. We can play our part in easing the population pressure down south. We want more people here. We have the space, we have the jobs, and we have the welcoming spirit and can-do attitude to make it work."
She said it was time for Canberra to understand that different population growth, migration and tax settings were needed in the north of the country.
"The Territory shouldn't be treated like everywhere else when it comes to migration and population policy," the Chief Minister said.
"Under today's migration settings, Darwin is categorised as a regional area like the Gold Coast - as if our circumstances, our labour market, and our strategic importance were the same. They are not."
She said that skilled migration filled job vacancies, turned new arrivals into Territory residents "who put down roots", and built capacity in the North.
"We need a carve out for Northern Australia - settings built for the Territory, North Queensland, and North of WA - designed so people settle here and stay," the Chief Minister said.
"This is essential if the nation is to kickstart growth, and be secure, successful, and prosperous in the 21st century."
The Chief Minister said the Zone Tax Offset, created to help Australians build the north, had effectively sat frozen for 30 years and not kept up with inflation. Today it is worth $338 dollars a year.
"Just like with migration, we need special carve outs on taxation to support investment, trade, and develop in strategic regions and industries," she said.
"Almost every developed economy on earth uses special economic zones to accelerate economic development in areas of strategic importance.
"Australia does not. The north is where that should change, within the Constitution's limits."
The Finocchiaro CLP Government was focussed on attracting major investments, driving a jobs boom and bringing more people to "stay here for good" with more affordable housing and the Government's $50,000 and $30,000 Fresh Start grants.
"The Australian dream is still alive in the Territory," the Chief Minister said.
"While it has been priced out of southern capitals, here we have homes that young families can afford.
"It's also one of the most liveable places in the country, with our famous Territory lifestyle.
"Darwin is the only capital city in Australia where you can earn good money, send your kids to great schools, have a big and affordable family home with enough space for a garden, a shed, and a fishing boat, and live within a 20 minute or less commute to work."
She said the Government was unwinding "Labor's crime crisis" and restoring the famous Territory lifestyle.
